Chile

The organised Basque community of Chile today fits into three houses and a delegation, between Santiago and the coast of Valparaíso. This portal’s register of centres lists 3 recognised entities in the country: the Eusko Etxea of Santiago, the Eusko Etxea of Valparaíso (in Viña del Mar) and the Colectividad Vasca de Chile.¹²

The youngest is the last. The Colectividad Vasca de Chile began its activity around 2007, with its seat at the Estadio Español in Santiago, and the Basque Government officially recognised it in May 2010.¹¹

It is also known how many Basques live there with their citizenship. In 1999, 883 Basque citizens resident in Chile appeared on the electoral roll, and in 2005 there were 1,786, twice as many; they are citizens of the Basque Autonomous Community, not descendants.⁸

The Delegation of Euskadi in Chile, based in Santiago, now represents the Basque Government in Chile, Peru and Colombia.¹³ In 2003 it mediated so that a course in the Basque language and culture, promoted by the Basque Government, could be taught at four Chilean universities.⁷